الرِّضَا عَنْ آبَائِهِؑ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللّهِ ﷺ اَنْتَ يَا عَلِيُّ وَ وُلْدُكَ خِيَرَةُ اللّهِ مِنْ خَلْقِهِ
Imam Reza (peace be upon him) reports vide his holy ancestors (peace be upon him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) said,
“You, O Ali, and your sons are the chosen ones of Allah from His creatures.”
Note:
Since the infallible Imams (peace be upon them) were the best and greatest, Allah the Almighty has chosen them. Had others been superior, certainly Allah the High out of His prudence, knowledge and justice would have chosen them. Now, when it is established that they are the most superior and chosen ones, isn’t it obligatory upon the people to follow the superior ones instead of the inferior ones?
Ibn Abi al-Hadeed – the commentator of Nahj al-Balaaghah – says (rather shamelessly), الحمد لله الذي قدم المفضول علي الفاضل “All praise is for Allah Who gave preference to the inferior upon the superior”.
We say, “O son of Hadeed! You can commit such an unjust act but Allah the Wise will never do such a thing since He is Wise, Knowing, Powerful and Just.”
References:
1. Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 23, p. 145, H. 102
2. Oyoon-o-Akhbaar al-Reza (peace be upon him)